Student digs app receives boost from City veteran

Rupert Hambro, former chairman at family firm Hambros Bank, has joined the board of a company that helps students find accommodation via their mobile phones.

Rupert Hambro, former chairman at family firm Hambros Bank, has joined the board of a company that helps students find accommodation via their mobile phones.

Bubble Student has built up its service in the North of England – in cities including Liverpool, Manchester and Leeds – and is now making plans for national coverage.

The City veteran has invested his own money in the app, which was launched in Newcastle in October last year.

Financier: Former banker Rupert Hambro with Bubble Student's team

Hambro, who has been appointed chairman, told The Mail on Sunday: ‘I’m of an age that I’ve fallen into traps before [when setting up businesses], and I hope I can help avoid doing the same thing.’

The 74-year-old has linked up with Felix Henderson, 23, and Solomon Wright, 22, who set up the company last year when they finished university.

The service lists 16,000 properties in 20 cities. It has now set up its base in the London office of Hambro Perks, a start-up investment firm founded by Hambro along with entrepreneur Dominic Perks in 2011.

‘Certainly we would like to go countrywide here,’ said Hambro, who studied at the Aix-Marseille University in France. He added that he is hopeful the company can sell its technology internationally.